Trash receptacle

ABSTRACT

In a first embodiment, a generally cylindrical trash receptacle includes radially spaced-apart handles and connector members at the upper outer surface of the wall of the receptacle. The trash receptacle may be selectively secured to one or more like trash receptacles to create a stable array of trash receptacles which will not easily be blown over. In a second embodiment, the trash receptacles are square or rectangular in shape and also have handles and connector members secured to the walls thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a trash receptacle and more particularly to trash receptacles which may be connected together to prevent them from tipping over in windy conditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Trash receptacles such as residential garbage cans, whether they are generally cylindrical, square or rectangular in shape tend to blow over in windy conditions when they are left at curb side for collection. When the garbage cans are blown over in windy conditions, the garbage or trash therein may spill therefrom and create an unsightly mess. Further, upon tipping over in windy conditions, the garbage cans may roll down the street.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A trash receptacle such as a garbage can is disclosed which enables it to be connected to other like garbage cans to create a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over or away in windy conditions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the garbage can is generally cylindrical with a slightly tapered body portion to enable the garbage can to be nested within other garbage cans for shipment or storage. The garbage can of this embodiment includes a body portion having a closed bottom and an upstanding wall portion with inner and outer surfaces, and an open upper end. A first handle is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion and which has a generally vertically disposed pocket formed therein. A second handle, identical to the first handle, Is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the second handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the first handle. A third handle, identical to the first and second handles, is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the third handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the second handle.

A first connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the first connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the third handle. A second connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the second connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the first connector member. A third connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the third connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the second connector member.

Each of the connector members has a downwardly extending connector portion which may be inserted downwardly into the pocket of a handle. Two or more of the garbage cans may be connected together by inserting the connector portion of one of the connector members of one garbage can into one of the pockets of a handle of another garbage can to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not tip over in windy conditions.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the garbage can is square or rectangular and which has first, second, third and fourth wall portions. In the second embodiment, a handle, such as described in the first embodiment, is secured to the outer surface of the first wall portion. A connector member, such as described in the first embodiment, is secured to the outer surface of the second wall portion. A handle is secured to the outer surface of the third wall portion and a connector member is secured to the outer surface of the fourth wall portion.

Any number of the garbage cans of the second embodiment may be connected together in the same manner as in the first embodiment to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not tip over in windy conditions.

It is therefore a principle object of the invention to provide a trash receptacle such as a garbage can which may be connected to another garbage can or cans to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over in windy conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garbage can of the type described which has a generally cylindrical configuration, a square configuration or a rectangular configuration.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the trash receptacle of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of three of the trash receptacles of FIG. 1 connected together;

FIG. 4 is a top view of three of the trash receptacles of FIG. 1 connected together;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the trash receptacle of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of four of the trash receptacles of FIG. 5 connected together; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of four of the trash receptacles of FIG. 5 connected together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the first embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the numeral 10 refers to a trash receptacle such as a garbage can which includes a closed bottom 12, an upstanding generally cylindrical wall portion 14 and an open upper end 16 which will normally be closed by a removable lid or cover which is not shown. Preferably, wall portion 14 is tapered somewhat so that the garbage can 10 may be nested within other garbage cans 10 for shipment and storage.

Preferably, the garbage can 10 will be formed of a plastic material so that the handles and connector members thereof may be integrally molded with the garbage can 10. A first handle 18 is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 below the upper end thereof. Handle 18 includes a vertically disposed pocket 20 which extends therethrough between the upper and lower ends thereof. A second handle 18′, which is identical to handle 18, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of handle 18. Handle 18′ includes a pocket 20′. A third handle 18″, which is identical to handles 18 and 18′, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of handle 18′. Handle 18″ includes a pocket 20″.

The numeral 22 refers to a first connector member which is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from handle 18″. Connector member 22 includes a downwardly projecting connector portion 24 which is spaced outwardly of the outer surface of wall portion 14. A second connector member 22′, which is identical to connector member 22, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the vertical centerline of connector member 22. Connector member 22′ includes a connector portion 24′. A third connector member 22″, which is identical to connector members 22 and 22′, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion 14 below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the vertical centerline of connector member 22′. Connector member 22″ includes a connector portion 24″. Each of the connector portions 24, 24′ and 26″ is adapted to be selectively vertically received by one of the pockets 20, 20′ and 20″. The garbage cans 10 may be secured together as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 to create a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over in windy conditions. Two of the garbage cans 10 may be secured together but it is preferred that three or more of the garbage cans 10 be secured together.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 and is designated with the reference numeral 26. The garbage can 26 may be square or rectangular. Garbage can 26 includes a closed bottom 28, upstanding wall portions 30, 32, 34 and 36 and an open upper end 38 which will normally be closed by a removable lid or cover which is not shown. Preferably, wall portions 30, 32, 34 and 36 are tapered somewhat in conventional fashion so that the garbage can 26 may be nested within other garbage cans 26 for shipment and storage. Preferably, the garbage can 26 will be formed of a plastic material so that the handles and connector members thereof may be integrally molded with the garbage can 26.

A first handle 40 is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion 30 below the upper end thereof. Handle 40 includes a vertically disposed pocket 42 which extends therethrough between the upper and lower ends thereof. A first connector member 44 is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion 32 below the upper end thereof. Connector member 44 includes a downwardly projecting connector portion 46 which is spaced outwardly of the outer surface of wall portion 32.

A second handle 40′ is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion 34 below the upper end thereof. Handle 40′ includes a pocket 42′ which is identical to pocket 42 in handle 40. A second connector member 44′ is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion 36 below the upper end thereof. Connector member 44′ includes a connector portion 46′ which is identical to connector portion 46 of connector member 44. Each of the connector portions 46 and 46′ are adapted to be vertically received by one of the pockets 42 and 42′.

Two of the garbage cans 26 may be connected together by inserting the connector portion 46 or 46′ of connector members 44 or 44′ downwardly through one of the pockets 42 or 42′ which will create a stable array of garbage cans. Any number of the garbage cans 26 may be connected together to form even more stable arrays of garbage cans. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate four garbage cans 26 connected together.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A trash receptacle which may be connected to other like trash receptacles to stabilize the same, comprising: a generally cylindrical body portion having a bottom; an upstanding wall portion with inner and outer surfaces, and an open upper end; a first handle secured to the outer surface of said wall portion and which has a generally vertically disposed pocket formed therein; a second handle secured to the outer surface of said wall portion and which has a generally vertically disposed pocket formed therein; the centerline of said second handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of said first handle; a third handle secured to the outer surface of said wall portion and which has a generally vertically disposed pocket formed therein; the centerline of said third handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of said second handle and being spaced 120 degrees from the centerline of said first handle; each of said pockets of said first, second and third handles being spaced outwardly of said outer surface of said upstanding wall portion of said body portion of the trash receptacle; a first connector member secured to the outer surface of said wall portion; the centerline of said first connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of said third handle and being radially spaced 120 degrees from the centerline of said second handle; a second connector member secured to the outer surface of said wall portion; the centerline of said second connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from said first connector member and radially spaced 120 degrees from said third handle; a third connector member secured to the outer surface of said wall portion; the centerline of said third connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from said second connector member and being radially spaced 120 degrees from said first connector member; the centerline of said third connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from said first handle; each of said connector members having a connector portion extending downwardly therefrom which may be inserted downwardly into a pocket of a handle of a like receptacle; each of said connector portions of said first, second and third connector members being spaced outwardly of said upstanding wall portions of said body portion of the trash receptacle; each of said handles and connector members being positioned below the upper end of said body portion of the trash receptacle; the positioning of one of said connector portions of a trash receptacle in one of said pockets of a like trash receptacle preventing horizontal movement between the trash receptacles.
 2. A trash receptacle which may be connected to other like trash receptacles to stabilize the same, comprising: an upstanding body portion including a bottom and first, second, third and fourth wall portions which are disposed at 90 degree angles with respect to one another; said wall portions having upper and lower ends and inner and outer surfaces; a first handle secured to the outer surface of said first wall portion below the upper end thereof; said first handle having a vertically disposed pocket formed therein; said pocket of said first handle being spaced outwardly of said outer surface of said first wall portion of said body portion; a first connector member secured to the outer surface of said second wall portion below the upper end thereof; said first connector member having a connector portion extending downwardly therefrom; said connector portion of said first connector member being spaced outwardly of said outer surface of said second wall portion of said body portion; a second handle secured to the outer surface of said third wall portion below the upper end thereof; said second handle having a vertically disposed pocket formed therein; said pocket of said second handle being spaced outwardly of said outer surfaces of said third wall portion of said body portion; a second connector member secured to said outer surface of said fourth wall portion below the upper end thereof; said second connector member having a connector portion extending downwardly therefrom; said connector portion of said second connector member being spaced outwardly of said outer surface of said fourth wall portion of said body portion; each of said downwardly extending connector portions being selectively vertically extended downwardly into a pocket of a handle of a like trash receptacle to enable two or more like trash receptacles to be selectively secured together; the positioning of one of said downwardly extending connector portions of a trash receptacle in one of said pockets of a like trash receptacle preventing horizontal movement between the trash receptacles.
 3. (canceled) 